Plakoohapli co



J. T. POWERS.

MEANS FOR LOCKING AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30 I918.

Patented July 8, 1919.

2 SHILETSSHEET l- A5- @wwwfo; cfffiawens:

I. T. POWERS.

MEANS FOR LOCKING AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.30, I918.

Patented July 8, 1919.

2 SHIzE'I'S-SIIEET 2.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. POWERS, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO THE JONES-POWERS CARBURETOR COMPANY, OF DENVER, COLORADO, A CORPORATION OF COLO- i RADO.

MEANS FOR LOOKING AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

useful Improvements in Means for Locking- Automobiles; and I do declare the follow ing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawlngs, and to the characters of reference marked thereon,

which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for locking automobiles of the type in which the locking function is performed by cutting off the explosive mixture from the engine. My improved locking means is located in a conduit extending from the carburetor to the intake manifold of the engine and is of such construction that the passage through the conduit may be cut off and opened at will according as is necessary to lock the machine or permit its use in the regular way. My improved lock is of the permutation type and consists of a rod to which is permanently attached a lock tumbler and an extension member which when in, the locking position closes the passage between the carbureter and the intake manifold and prevents the operation of the engine, as will be readily understood. Rotatably mounted on this rod is a number of other tumblers, the number, of course, depending upon the will of the manufacturer or the complexity of the combination which it is desired to employ. The tumbler which is permanently attached to the rod is provided with a small pickup lug or projection which extends toward the adjacent rotary tumbler and is adapted to engage a corresponding lug or projection formed on said tumbler, the latter being also provided with an additional projection which engages the next tumbler or that remote from the permanently attached tumbler. These projections are so arranged on the several tumbler members that when they are all engaged, whereby the rotation of the permanently attached tumbler in a gi'ven direction also rotates the other tumblers, the same figures on the tumblers are on longitudinally alined parts, each tumbler member be ing provided with figures from O to 9, both inclusive, and consecutively arranged. Each tumbler is further provided onits periphery with a pin adjustable for changing the combination, and in order to solve the combination the pins of the tumblers must be in alinement with a longitudinally disposed groove in the casing, thus permitting the longitudinaladjustment of the lock in the casing either for the purpose of removing the cut-off extension from its locking position in the casing or for moving it into such position as may be required. The pins which are adjustable for the purpose of changing the combination, are positioned with reference to the numbered portions of the several tumblers. For instance, if one of the pins is on the zero part of its tumbler, it is normally in registering alinement with the longitudinal groove in the casing and consequently, in position to permit longitudinal adjustment of the lock in the casing if the other pins were in a corresponding position. If the pin of another tumbler is on the part numbered 2, this tumbler must be moved two spaces in order to bring its pin into alinement with the 0 pin of the adjacent tumbler. Again, if the pin of the third tumbler is on the part numbered 3 of that tumbler, the latter must be moved three spaces in order to bring it into alinement with the 0 pin.

Hence, under these circumstances, the lock is set for a combination which may be designated by 0, 2-, 3. The tumblers are all in the normal position to solve the combination by the aforesaid adjustment when all of the tumblers have their projections in such engagement that they turn in unison when the stem is rotated in a given direction as toward the right. A small knob on the head of the adjusting rod is in alinement with the 0 spaces of the several tumblers when in normal position and whenthis knob and the said spaces are in what I term the uppermost position they are all in alinement with the longitudinal groove formed in the easing. This groove is intersected by interior circumferential grooves which accommodate the pins of the respective tumblers during their rotary action whether for solving the combination or throwing it off as may be desired. The number of spaces traveled during the rotary action of the lock tumblers is known to the operator by an audible click resulting from the formation of l0ngitudinal grooves in the respective tumblers and spring actuated click balls carried by the casing and which engage the several grooves which are equidistantly positioned, the space between any two grooves being one of the numbered spaces of the tumbler.

In my improved construction the lock casing is arranged between a conduit member leading upwardly from the carbureter and the intake manifold and is permanently attached to the latter.

Having briefly outlined my improvement, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof. In this drawing:

Figure l is an elevation partly in section showing the front part of an automobile and its engine, with my improvement in position.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the lock casing in section and mounted on the intake manifold, the parts being shown on a larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33, Fig. 2 but shown on a larger scale.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken through the lock mechanism on the line 4:'l, Fig. 2, showing the lock mechanism in position cutting off the passage of gasolene to the intake manifold or in the same position as in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lock mechanism removed from the casing, the adjusting rod being partly broken away.

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on the line G-6, Fig. 4: looking toward the right, the parts being shown on a larger scale.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7, Fig. 5, also shown on a somewhat larger scale.

Fig. 8 is a view of the lock mechanism partly in elevation and partly in section showing the parts detached but in position for assemblage.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate my improved lock mechanism considered in its entirety, and composed of three tumbler members 6, 7 and 8, the member 6 having a tubular extension 9 adapted to close an opening 10 in the lock casing 12 when the lock mechanism is properly adjusted in said casing as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4c. The said tumblers are all mounted on a rod 13 which is permanently attached to the tumbler 6 by means of a nut 14 applied to the threaded sembled in the proper relation. Furthermore, the rod is provided with laterally projecting tongues at which enter grooves of counterpart shape formed in the tumbler 6. Each of the tumblers 7 and S is mounted to rotate freely on the rod. Furthermore, each tumbler is provided with a pin 16 adapted to register with an interior circumferential groove 17 formed in the easing 12. Further, each tumbler is provided with a number of longitudinally disposed grooves 18 which are spaced at equal distances around the tumbler and are adapted to be engaged by a spring-actuated ball 19 arranged in a recess 20 and acted on by a spiral spring 21 held in place by a screw 22. By virtue of this construction there is an audible click every time a groove 18 of a tumbler reaches a click ball 19, which click guides the operator in the adjustment of the lock mechanism for the purpose of solving the combination, the tumblers during such action being concealed within the easing of the lock and hence, beyond the view of the operator.

The spaces 23 between the grooves 18 of each tumbler are numbered 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8, 9, respectively. Each of these spaces is provided with a recess or perforation 24 adapted to receive a pin 16. lVhenever it is desired to change the combination, a pin of one or more of the tumblers is removed fro-m the space where it had previously been located and placed in another space. The pins in F ig. 5 of the drawing are respectively positioned in the spaces 0, 2 and 3 of the tumblers 7, 6 and 8, respectively. This means that the spaces designated 0, 2 and 3 of the respective tumblers must be in longitudinal alinement to solve the combination of the lock, the casing being provided with a longitudinal groove into which the pins of the several tumblers extend to permit the longitudinal adjustment of the lock mechanism within the casing when the tumblers are arranged in the aforesaid position or that shown in Fig. 5. The outer extremity of the rod lat is provided with a head 26 having a small knob 27 which when the tumblers are rotating in unison and when their pins are out of alinement, is in alinement approximately with the Zero spaces of the several tumblers. hen the correspondingly numbered spaces of all the tumblers are in alinement, a pro jection 28 with which the tumbler 6 is provided engages a projection 29 with which the tumbler 7 is provided, while another projection 30 of the tumbler 7 is in engagement with a projection 31 with which the tumbler 8 is provided. These projections are so arranged that when the tumbler member 6 is turned toward the right, it will first pick up the tumbler member 7. after which the latter will pick up so to speak, the tumbler 8, so that all the tumblers will rotate in unison, assuming that their corresponding figures are out of alinement at the commencement of the operation. In other words, when the three tumbler members move in unison when the rod is rotated toward the right, the lock mechanism is in position to begin the solution of the combination, since the pins of the various tumblers are then out of alinement and must be so adjusted as to bring them into alinement, as heretofore explained.

If new we assume that the combination 18 set, as illustrated in Fig. 5, or if we say the combination is set for 0, 2, 3, after rotating the rod a number of times suflicient to cause all of the tumblers to rotate in unison in one direction as toward the right, by virtue of the pickup projections or lugs heretofore explained, and if it also be assumed that the knob 27 of the head 26 of the rod is in the uppermost position, the solution of the combination will be brought about by the following operation of the rod. First turn the rod toward the right a distance equal to three tumbler spaces, or until three distinct clicks are heard. This will bring the tumbler 8 into such position that its space 3 and its pin 16 will be in alinement with the longitudinal groove 25 of the lock casing. The rod will then be turned three spaces toward the left, whereby the tumbler 6 will be returned to its normal position, since it is fast on the rod and its pin in this event will be two tumbler spaces to the left of the groove 25 of the casing. It must be remembered that in turning the rod toward the left, as just described, the permanently attached tumbler member 6 only is moved since its pickup projection is out of contact with the corresponding projection of the adjacent tumbler. As the tumbler 7 originally, or at the time of beginning the solution of the combination, was in alinement with the groove 25, it is now three spaces to the right of such alinement. It will now be necessar Y to turn the rod toward the left one complete rotation or until ten distinct (GllOkS ar heard, in which event the projection 28 of the tumbler 6 will have engaged the projection 29 of the tumbler 7 and move the latter toward the left three spaces or so that its pin 16 will be in alinement with the corresponding pin of the tumbler 8. Again, the pin 16 of the tumbler 6 will be two spaces to the left of the groove 25 of the casing; then, by moving the rod two spaces toward the right or until two distinct clicks are heard, the pin 16 of the tumble 6 will be in alinement with the corresponding pins of the other tumblers and all of the pins will be in alinement with the groove 25 of the easing. Consequently, if we assume that the lock mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 4., or so as to cut off the flow of explosive mixture to the engine through the opening 10, this mechanism may be longitudinally adjusted to remove the obstruction, 01' bring the extension 9 of the tumbler 6 rearwardly beyond the opening 10, or so that the tumbler 8 will be in engagement with a screw cap 30 applied to the rear end of the casing 12. This will be the normal position of the look when the engine is running or supplied with explosive mixture in the regular way. If it is desired to lock the mechanism in th unlocked position or in the position to leave the opening 10 of the casing unobstructed, the rod may be turned in one direction or the other, whereby the pins of the several tumblers are not all in alinement with the longitudinal groove of the casing. Ordinarily, however, the lock mechanism may be left in its original position after moving it rearwardly to uncover the opening 10, and so that when the user of the machine desires to adjust the mechanism to cut off the flow of gasolene it will only be necessary to push the rod and the mechanism carried thereby forwardly, after which by turning the rod in one direction or the other the combination will be thrown off and must be be solved before the machine can be operated.

In other words, it will not ordinarily be necessary to throw off the combination when the opening 10 is uncovered, since there will be little, if any, tendency for the mechanism to work forwardly to close the opening 10. However, if such tendency should exist the combination may be thrown off when the lock mechanism is in its rearward position, but this will require that the combination be solved before the mechanism may be moved forwardly to obstruct or close the opening 10.

As illustrated in the drawing, the casing 12 1s formed integral with the intake manifold 31 where the opening 10 is located. the extension 32 (see F 4) beyond the opening 10 constituting the integral connection between the casing and the manifold. In order that the tumbler 8 may maintain its proper relative position on the rod 13 the rod which is enlarged, as shown at 38, where the tumblers are located, is provided with a shoulder which engages the corresponding forwardly located shoulder on the tumbler 8, thus preventing the tumbler 8 from moving rearwardly on the rod. tumbler 7 is positioned between the two tumblers 6 and 8 and consequently, must maintain its proper relative longitudinal position on the rod.

Also, as shown in the drawing (see Fig. 1) the rod 13 extends rearwardly through the dashboard 35 of the automobile, its head 26 being exposed in the rear of the dashboard and conveniently accessible to the driver for manipulating purposes. In the The middle manufacture of the lock, I prefer to form the projections 28, 29, 30 and 31 out the several tumblers by employing steel keys or blades 36, 37 and 38 which are set into the respective tumblers 6, 7 and 8, as disclosed in Fig. 8, the key 37 in this event forming the two projections 29 and 30, the key 36 the projection 28, and the key 38, the projection 31.

Attention is called to the fact that in Fig. .t of the drawing the rod is reduced, as indicated by dotted lines at 39 and the projections or tongues 4, best illustrated in Fig. 6, are formed upon this part of the rod and their outer ends are flush with the reinforced part 33 of the rod and enter grooves formed in the adjacent part of the tumbler 6. This explanation is made in order to clear up the possible obscurity in Fig. at when considered in connection with Fig. 6, the latter being formed on a considerably larger scale.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A cylindrical casing having an opening therein for passage of fluid therethrough, a member extending into the casing and movable both rotatably and axially therein, cylindrical locking mechanism on the inner end of said member and fitting said casing, said mechanism comprising locking means and an extension, the extension lying beyond the locking mechanism and adapted to close the openings in the casing.

52. A casing normally open for the passage of fluid, lock mechanism mounted in said casing and movable both rotatably and axially and consisting of permutation devices, one of which is provided with an extension adapted to close the casing against the passage of fluid when the lock is properly adjusted.

3. A relatively stationary casing normally open for the passage of fluid, lock mechanism mounted in said casing and consisting of permutation devices, one of which is provided with an extension adapted to close the casing against the passage of fluid when the lock is properly adjusted, and a manipulating rod movable both rotatably and longitudinally and connected with the permutation device carrying the said extension.

4. A casing open to the passage of fluid, a rod extending into said casing and rotatably mounted therein, and permutation devices mounted on the rod, one of said devices being reciprocable in said casing and constructed to close the casing against the passage of fluid when the lock is properly adjusted.

5. A casing open to the passage of fluid, a rod rotatably mounted and projecting into said casing, permutation devices mounted on the rod, one being fixed and having a cutoff extension adapted to close the casing against the passage of fluid, the said devices being equipped for adjustment to solve the combination by the operation of the rod.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature.

JOHN T. POWERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

